Pipe connection



J. E. MILLER PIPE CONNECTION Oct. 24, 1939.

Fiied June 15, 1958 I INVENTOR. v Jase 65 /v///e ATTORNEY,

Patented a. '24, 1939 U I ED srA'res PATIENT yorrics This invention relates ,to a pipe. connection in which pipes are coupled together in axial aline-' ment by such means as to prevent leakage from between the connected pi An object of the invention is to so form the end portions of the pipes to be connected and the members forming the coupling for connect-' ing the pipes that pressure of fluid when established within-the coupled pipes will automatically cause tightening of the joints formed between the coupling elements and the pipes.

Another object of theinvention is to form the end portions of the pipes, the coupling member therefor and the pack-rings, by which the coupiing member and the pipe ends conneeted thereby are sealed, so that during the operation or assembling the pipe ends with the pack-rings and connecting member, said pack-rings become compressed uniformly around the corresponding pipes 80 within the coupling member when'mechanical force is applied to move said pipes. when axially alined, toward each other.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description.

as a An illustrative embodiment of the invention is] shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. ,1 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of a pipe connection in which the invention is employed:

a Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the cross-sectional form of a resilient pack used in sealing the coupling member with the connected pipes; and- Flg. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of the pipe connection in modified form.

. The illustrative embodiment of the invention, preferably, as shown in Fig. 1, consists of pipes I and 2 that are disposed in axial alinement, there being a-suitable space 3 therebetween.

The end portion of each pipe is formed with an annular frusto-conical shoulder I that tapers uniformly throughout its length and terminates fi st its outer end a suitable distance from the pipe end. That part 8 of the pipe between the shoul- 48 der and the end of the pipe is substantially straight and of reduced circumference with respect to the main body of the pipe. A coupling member is provided'that consists of a metallic encircling cylindrical band 6 the ends of which so have external flanges I, the inner bore of the' during assemblage thereof. Within thebandare" secured stop-rings I disposed'concentrically with respect to the band that are permanently secured in place therein, preferably by welding the rings to the band as indicated by l. Resilient packs are provided each of which consistsof a ring I. preferably formed of rubber shaped with a curved groove il in one end to provide spaced lips i2 and IS, the opposite end of the ring being tapered to a rounded edge I, and the bottom having a series of concentric annular fins II that are integral with said ring. is

.The packs are placed in the band concentrically therewith, their grooved ends disposed against the outermost edges of the corresponding stop-rings I, and with their lips I projecting into the bores of the rings where they are held I initially in place by their frictional contacts with the inner wall of the band and'the corresponding frusto-conical shoulders on the pipes.

In assembling the parts to form the connection, the band, while containing therein the packs, after one of the pipes is installed in place, the band is centered in axial alinement. with the installed pipe and then moved axially so that the end of said installed pipe is encompassed by the corresponding end of the band, aswell as by as the pack and stop-ring therein. By applying force mechanically, to the oppomte end of the band in the direction to move the band onto the installed pipe, the pack becomes tightly sponding stop-ring is concurrently'thrust against the grooved end of the pack, Thus, the pack is tightly and uniformly compressed between the shoulder and the inner wall of the band, causing the fins ii to become compressed against the DiDe..and the outer circumferential face of the pack to be jammed against the inner wall of the band.

. As the pressure applied to the pack is more 40 or less uniform as movement. of the stop-ring is exerted axially against the pack, compression of the pack between the shoulder and the band is likewise substantially uniform entirely around the shoulder and againstthe band. The pressure of the pack thus is applied radially between the shoulder and the band and is substantially uniform entirely around the pipe which causes the band to assume true concentricity with the pipe, even though the band may be initially somewhat out of round. This permits the resilient pack to adjust itself uniformly in place-around the pipe end so as to form a seal between the pipe and band as well-as against the stop members whereby leakage of flllld past the seal is qually resisted ll forced into place within the corresponding pack "and stop-ring, so that a similar seal is formed between said opposing pipe and the band, thus K completing the pipe connection. it In the modification shown in Fig. 3, the band is of the same form asthe band I previously de scribed. The stop member in the modified form,

however, consists of an annular channel I'- having end flanges 8" and fits loosely within the bore of the band, or, if preferred, it may be welded or otherwise p'ermanently'secured in place. In this instance the resilient packs. ll bear against the outer end facesoi the channel and are coma;

pressed between the outer faces of the i'rustoconical'shoulders and the band, as in the Iormer instance when the assembiageoi parts is completed. v

In both forms of the invention there are provided resilient packs between-the opposed pip ends and the surrounding band that are initially compressed by mechanical force augmented by hydraulic or fiuid pressure subsequently-created within the'pipes, whereby'a substantially leakprooi connection is eilected.

Variatlons' from the particular construction above disclos'edmay readily be made by exercise of engineering 'skill without departure from the spiritnr scope-oi the invention. and the following claims are intended to be" inclusive of such variations.

10 What r main a:

the seal at 1'. A coupling to: pipes the shes or which have external tapering shoulders, a cylindrical band disposed to encompass the opposing ends of said pipes, and resilient cylindrical packs having in conjunction therewith a stop member disposed within the band between the ends of said packs to prevent axial mpvem'ent of one pack end toward-the other when the ends of said pipes are thrust into said coupling.

2. A pipe connection formed of axially alined pipes the opposing ends thereof being spaced apart, the end portion'of each pipe having an external uniformly tapered shoulder, an annular bandencompassing the opposing end portions of said pipes and provided with internal annular stops spaced inwardly from the ends of said band, and a resilient annular pack disposed within each end of said band engaged respectively by said stops so that upon travel of one pipe axially toward the other said packs move on the corresponding shoulders and become wedged between said shoulders and band. 3. A p pe connection having axially alined pipes the opposing. ends of which are spaced apart, each pipe provided with an annular tapering external shoulder having a continuous unob-'- structed siu'iace throughout its entire length, and a cylindrical coupling band having therein an annular stop member spaced from the respective 'ends thereoi and provided also with internal annular resilient packs that bear respectively against the opposite ends of said member so'that vwhen the ends of said pipes are thrust into the corresponding ends of said band, said packs move 1 on the corresponding shoulders and become lders and band and held in sealing position thereon under uniiorm pressure.

Josam unan-rm.

wedged in place between the corresponding shoul- 

